Rangers midfielder Joey Barton has attempted to wind up new Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers by claiming the 43-year-old is having a 'mid-life crisis'.
The pair will get their first taste of an Old Firm derby on September 10, but Barton has already got the first jibe in saying that he has not seen the Antrim man around Glasgow because he "knows the places he goes".
"I've not managed to run into him yet," he told talkSPORT. "I know the places he goes and the places I go probably differ with the tan and the teeth and that kind of thing.
"They're not the kind of establishments I rock up at. I'm not having a mid-life crisis."
Rodgers has got his Celtic career off to a rocky start, with defeat to minnows Lincoln Red Imps before a late goal earned him a victory on the opening day of the season.
Of the Old Firm derby Barton said: "It's a great rivalry. As you can imagine, in the city you see both sides of it. Everybody up here is happy that the Old Firm is back on the table.
"I'm looking forward to the atmosphere. I like the tongue-in-cheek stuff and having a joke but when it comes down to the game, it's two massive football institutions and I absolutely can't wait for it.
"I respect the tradition and the history that's gone before it and the competitive element.
"It seems Scottish football was in a little bit of a lull to say the least before this season, and it seems everyone is excited. There's a bit of a buzz around the city.
"Hopefully it's the start of Scottish football getting itself back on the map, not only in the British Isles but also in European competition as well."
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